"Top Chef" Is Back: Did Last Night's Season Premiere Sizzle Or Fizzle?

Top Chef added a little spice to its cast with a trio of gay and lesbian chefs as we saw on last night's fifth season premiere.

I love how Richard, Patrick and Jamie quickly bonded and dubbed themselves "Team Rainbow." Wasn't it great to see gay people supporting each other on one of these shows as opposed to being catty? (By the way, I visited the Bravo site after the show, and the network is actually selling a Team Rainbow t-shirt!)

I wasn't the only one who loved Team Rainbow: Bravo did a text poll during the show, asking whether people were rooting for Team Rainbow or the Euro Duo (made up of Fabio, the Italian chef, and Finnish chef Stefan), and Team Rainbow won by a landslide, raking in seventy percent of the vote.

I have to admit that Team Rainbow's Richard is my favorite chef. This cuddly bear of a guy made me laugh right out of the gate when he quipped, "Of course, the inner queen inside me is screaming to know, 'Where's Padma? And what is she wearing?' "

Later, he fantasized about taking judge Tom Colicchio out for a drink—or two or three.

Richard can cook for me anytime, although I do worry about his knife skills. When he sliced his thumb open during the quickfire challenge at the start of the show and bled all over the apples that he was peeling, I thought he was a goner!

Thankfully, Richard (and his thumb) survived and went on to compete in the first challenge, which had the contestants whipping up dishes reflecting the many cuisines of New York, the setting for this season. While Richard and Jamie, both experienced chefs, made Greek food, fresh-faced hottie Patrick, the youngest contestant at 21 and a student at the Culinary Institute of America, prepared a Chinese dish.

Patrick's soggy black rice noodles ultimately led to his downfall, and Padma told him to pack his knives and go. So Team Rainbow is already down to two. But I predict that Richard and Jamie will last a long time in this competition.

Did you catch last night's premiere of Top Chef? What did you think? Do you love Richard as much as I do? And, like Richard, would you like to take Tom Colicchio out for a drink—or two or three?

(Images courtesy of Bravo)

Comments

[Kathleen]

I was excited to see that Top Chef was returning--I'm a foodie and I love this show. I was also glad to see Team Rainbow making a statement from the start. As far as Tom goes, yeah I suppose he's cute if that's your type, but I'm more interested in fantasizing about bolstering the confidence of Arianna. Oh well, a girl can dream can't she....

[Rick]

I would definitely go out on a date with Tom. What great eyes! I already love Richard! I hope he does well and doesn't end up blubbering like all the other gay men in seasons past. I certainly don't see him winning though.

[Ericka]

Bravo has some of the BEST reality programming on TV. And I don't even work for them. Instead of turning reality contestants into stock characters, viewers have the opportunity to expect the unexpected - no really, I don't work for them. I haven't picked a favorite for this season yet...

[Bear777]

I've loved Top Chef since I became aware of the program. And though they've had their share of past gays I have to say I was glad to see Team Rainbow emerge quickly this season. And, yeah, Richard is a hunkaroo *drool*. And I've always found Tom attractive (yep, I does luv da bear types).
I look forward to the season and I, too, hope there wont be a lot of gay-blubbering going on. Don't MAKE me pull my hanky out! :)

[Devil Contra Code]

I'm a professional cook so I always dig this show because they get seasoned and promising cooks from the world on this. However, this season so far is not stacking so well. I wasn't blown away by anyone and usually I can call the winner on the first episode. Patrick didn't belong and I have no idea why he was there. I can see Richard getting on my nerves because he seems really obnoxious and of course he's pretty much a chick. (Who the fuck cares what Padma is wearing? Really?) So 2/3 of the Team Rainbow seems to be all stereotype and little skill. And that's obvious since one is gone already. I hope this gets better. I only watch Bravo for this one show and I can't take any fucking Tim Gunn or Housewives commercials anymore.

[Devil Contra Code]

I'm a professional cook so I always dig this show because they get seasoned and promising cooks from the world on this. However, this season so far is not stacking so well. I wasn't blown away by anyone and usually I can call the winner on the first episode. Patrick didn't belong and I have no idea why he was there. I can see Richard getting on my nerves because he seems really obnoxious and of course he's pretty much a chick. (Who the fuck cares what Padma is wearing? Really?) So 2/3 of the Team Rainbow seems to be all stereotype and little skill. And that's obvious since one is gone already. I hope this gets better. I only watch Bravo for this one show and I can't take any fucking Tim Gunn or Housewives commercials anymore.

[janet]

I find "Team Rainbow" a bit silly/stereotypical. I mean, they just meet, discover that they are all gay and...poof...instant best buddies. I am all for gays supporting one another; however, besides being gay, what do they have in common? Do they even know? It reminds me of telling my boss I was gay and he says, "oh, I met a chick the other day that I bet you would really like." to which I reply, "oh yeah, what is she like?" and he says, "well, she's gay!" REALLY? What else?!?! I live in a big city with a huge GLBT community. Have I liked or had something(besides homosexuality)in common with EVERYONE I have met in said community? NO! Get a grip, guys.